Josh Sargent earns manager’s praise as Norwich progress in Carabao Cup

Liam Manning hailed Josh Sargent after the striker’s 50th Norwich goal set up a 2-1 Carabao Cup first-round win at Watford.

First-half goals from United States international Sargent and Chile midfielder Marcelino Nunez proved to be enough despite a late Hornets fight back.

Sargent, who was captain for the night, might still be sold before the transfer window closes but City head coach Manning was hopeful that would not happen.

“His record speaks for itself – I think he is the best Championship striker,” he said. “He was first class in how he led the line and long may it continue.”

Sargent slotted home the opener in the 10th minute thanks to good work from debutant Papa Diallo and Hornets goalkeeper Egil Selvik made a mess of saving Nunez’s long-range effort in the 26th minute as the ball squirmed through his gloves.

Watford substitute Kwadwo Baah’s 68th-minute reply set up a stirring finish but Norwich held on.

“I thought we showed real spirit, togetherness and desire tonight,” added Manning, who joined from Bristol City in the summer.

New Watford manager Paulo Pezzolano’s first home match end in defeat but the Uruguayan was encouraged by the way his players had improved over 90 minutes.

“In the first half? All – tactics and energy,” he said when asked where it had gone wrong. “The lack of energy is something I will never allow. It is something basic we all need to have in life.

“But we want to keep what we saw in the second half. We want to be that team as much as we can.”